Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a pushboat to a barge having a notch in its stern for receiving the bow of pushboat. The pushboat has three coupler units, two on the opposite sides and one at the bow end, each of which has an extensible and retractable connecting pin. The side connecting pin has hemi-spherical part at its outer end part which comes into tight contact with the similar hemi-spherical part of the holes in side socket on the side wall of the notch when it is extended out and inserted into the hole for connection. The bow connecting pin has wedge-shaped end which engages with the teeth of the center rack located in the barge's centerline at the deepest point of the notch when it is extended out for connection. The motions of connecting pins are remotely controlled from a control panel located in the navigation bridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a pushboat to a barge having a notch in its stern for receiving the bow of pushboat. The pushboat has three coupler units, two on the opposite sides and one at the bow end, each of which h an extensible and retractable connecting pin. The side connecting pin has hemi-spherical part at its outer end part which comes into tight contact with the similar hemi-spherical part of the holes in side socket on the side wall of the notch when it is extended out and inserted into the hole for connection. The bow connecting pin has wedge-shaped end which engages with the teeth of the center rack located in the barge's centerline at the deepest point of the notch when it is extended out for connection. The motions of connecting pins are remotely controlled from a control panel located in the navigation bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for connecting a pusher boat and a barge, having a notch in the stern portion for receiving the hull of the pusher boat, such that a three-point supported rigid connection is formed which utilizes three axially movable connecting pins. One of the pins is mounted at the bow end of the pusher boat to form a multi-step tooth-engagement with a centerline pin-end receiving member consisting of concavities arranged along the barge's centerline at the deepest point of the notch. The other two pins are mounted on opposing sides of the pusher boat to form a combined friction- and multi-step tooth-engagement with side-pin-end receiving members defined by vertical slots, in the side walls of the notch, with concavities arranged along the centerlines of the slots' base surfaces.